Last year more than 60 golf clubs in China were shut down by the Communist Party and in October the sport was officially banned.Members were stopped from joining or entering private clubs because the party saw them as connected with bribery and corruption.

In a surprising U turn the ban was lifted just before the Sczezen Open and the only restriction on party members is now from accepting free memberships or gifts of golf equipment.

The way is now clear for golf to flourish amongst the huge Chinese population.